Madhya Pradesh: Two farmers killed, four injured in firing during protests in Mandsaur

Two farmers killed, four injured in firing during protests in Mandsaur

Farmers’ protest at Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh took a violent turn after police opened fire on the protestors killing one farmer and injuring four, media reports said. Internet services in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Ujjain remain suspended following farmers’ protests. The Rashtriya Kisaan Mazdoor Sangh has called for a state-wide shutdown on Wednesday.

Farmers’ protests have continued unabated in many parts of western Madhya Pradesh even as Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said his government is taking all necessary steps to address the issues of the agitating farmers. “This government is farmers’ government. All necessary steps have been initiated to address farmers’ concerns,”.

For days now, farmers in Madhya Pradesh have been protesting demanding higher prices for their produce including onions and dal. Loan waiver is a concern for farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra where protests were witnessed. Protests turned violent in many places across Madhya Pradesh with protesters pelting stones at policemen torching police and other vehicles and vandalising shops.

Internet services were banned in Ratlam and Neemuch as well following the farmers’ protest. Earlier, internet services were suspended in Maharashtra’s Nasik which is also witnessing massive farmers’ protests.On Monday, protesters pelted stones and damaged several two-wheelers as police used lathi-charge to disperse them. Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chouhan were burnt.